KENT, Ohio - Kent Credit Union has announced a merger between the bank and Seven Seventeen Credit Union. 

According to a press release the merger will begin on November 1 pending regulatory approval.

Kent Credit Union said that after 51 years of serving members, the company found it difficult to operate in a competitive marketplace.

A press release states that the credit union's board of directors and management determined that they could best serve members long-term by seeking a strong merger partner. 

"We felt that our membership would be best served in the future by a larger credit union that had the resources to not only provide the latest technologies, but to handle the skyrocketing cost of doing business in the current regulatory environment," said Kent Credit Union president and CEO Joseph Crawfis.  "Seven Seventeen has a reputation for being progressive and member focused."

For Seven Seventeen members living in Portage County, it will give them access to a new branch location in Ravenna once the merger is completed. 

In addition, the 7,400 members of Kent Credit Union will be added to the more than 67,000 current Seven Seventeen members helping to create greater efficiency and economy of scale in providing the complex financial products and services that today's consumers expect. 

Kent Credit Union has a branch in Kent that is within a mile of Seven Seventeen's current Portage County office. Officials say that additional location will be evaluated before any decisions are made on its future.